7th Sunday of Easter - A (May 28, 2017)

Commentary

John 17: 1-11a

To Know God

(Today, most dioceses celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.  In a few places, however, today is the 7^th Sunday of Easter.

I have chosen the Gospel for the 6^th Sunday of Easter for this reflection.) 

In the Gospel passage, Jesus continues his Last Supper with the disciples.  Now he prays to the Father for his disciples, “This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

“The word for "know" is ginosko, which means intimate, even mystical, knowledge.” [1]   Think of how intimately Jesus knows the Father. 

To know God and to make God know – that is one way of expressing the purpose of the Christian life. 

As we ponder Jesus’ prayer for us, it’s time for us to evaluate our prayer life, which is a way we can deepen our knowledge of God.

While we can never know God fully, without some knowledge of God, we cannot carry out Jesus’ commission, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

 

[1]   John Petty. www.progressiveinvolvement.org 

6th Sunday of Easter - A (May 21, 2017)

Commentary

John 14:15-21

“Reason for Your Hope”

The author of the First Letter of St. Peter urges Christians, “Always be ready to give an explanation … for a reason for your hope.”  (2^nd Reading)

That reason should be what Jesus tells the disciples in today’s Gospel, “Because I live and you will live.”  That life is the life Jesus shared with the Father, “I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.”  That life is the presence of the Holy Spirit, “who remains with you, and will be in you.”  Thus, our life is the life of the Blessed Trinity who lives in us.

There, the reason for our hope. 

Image source:  www.agnusday.org

 

5th Sunday of Easter - A (May 14, 2017)

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John 14: 1-12

Commentary

My Father’s House

The celebration of our mothers on this Mother’s Day can help us connect or better appreciate three of the sentences that Jesus speaks to us today.   

First, “In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places,”

A mother’s love and presence create a home and a family.  A mother’s care and sacrifices tell their children the that they are loved. 

God’s love brings us into God’s family.  We are children of God.  We are loved.

Second, “I am going to prepare a place for you.”

Enduring the pains, and with love and selfless sacrifices, mothers give birth to their children. 

Christ, through his death and resurrection, gives us the life of the children of God.

Third, to Philip requests, “Show us the Father,” Jesus responds, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Mothers and fathers share in Jesus’ mission of leading their children to God – the greatest gift of all. 

 

Image source:  http://catholicmom.com

4th Sunday of Easter - A - Good Shepherd Sunday (May 7, 2017)

Commentary

John 10:1-10

Abundant Life

“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

The Gospel of last Sunday gives us some insights into the ways the Good Shepherd still gives us life abundantly – through his words, his Eucharist, and his presence in our daily life.

And as we receive the gift of abundant life, each follower of the Good Shepherd is also empowered to share this life with others.  

When we speak, we can allow the Good Shepherd to speak through our voices.  When we give ourselves to others, the Good Shepherd gives himself.  When we love, it is with the love of the Good Shepherd.  When our presence transforms the lives of others, then we know that it is the Good Shepherd who is present in us.   

 Image source:  www.agnusday.org